A part-time police officer in Wyoming County has been charged with murdering his own son, according to an indictment.

Michael Leach, 59, pleaded not guilty yesterday during his arraignment in Herkimer County Court. Leach had told authorities he shot his 37-year-old son Matthew last July at a motel at Old Forge in the Adirondacks.

Leach said he had mistaken his son for an intruder and shot him with his department-issued handgun. Authorities have not commented on a motive or evidence that led them to charge Leach with murder.

Leach is a retired Rochester police captain and had been working as a part-time officer with the Village of Perry Police.

Leach is being held in the Herkimer County Jail in lieu of $200,000 bail.